i might be picking up a 87 dodge raider , low miles , 73500, but its got some transmission/clutch problems. apparently the clutch needs to be replaced , and the ladys syas its got a linakge problem in 1st gear. is this a normal problem with these vehicles ? would it be better to jsut have the tranny rebuilt or would a junkyard one work for a while ? seeing how its got such low miles im thinknig rebuilt , anyone have this done , typical price so i dont get gouged to badly .
any other typical problems to look for, i havent seen this vehicle in person , yet, but it looks rust free and straight with really good paint. i dont plan to use this as an offroad machine , maybe trips to the mtn to snowboard, i already have a toyota 4 runner for my off road duties. but im looking for a decent out of town car for work, wont be putting a ton of miles on it , and mostly short trips , until i start doing the solid axle swap on my 4 runner , then it will be my daiy driver for a while.

thanks for any info you can provide.

airrikk17

Aside from the obvious Trans/Clutch issues:

The 2.6 is prone to tossing headgaskets, especially if overheated, which is pretty easy to do if the rad's still the original. Check for oil in the rad, blue exaust, & compresion test. The cooling fan clutch may be on its last legs as well.
Beware the engine overheat....

Good luck.

The 2.6 is not a fuel efficient engine. Expect 15-18mpg.
The standard tranny is the weak link (I am told) and may need a partial rebuild. Another used tranny will probaably have more miles and be in worse condition. I sure love my 87.

I've put 11k miles on my 87 Raider since October, Bob's estimate of mpg covers what I have observed. I'm running 31" BFG all terrains with a stick, lots of 65-80 mph driving on rural roads and highways with hills. I have not changed the speedo drive gear, yet. Overall, the 2.6l has enough power, won't climb hills at speed during the cold months, but it only makes about 100HP anyway.

I have converted my Raider to a mini-work van with a cargo/passenger area divider, tool boxes, and ammo-can console. With the tool boxes, tools, and junk miscellany, I probably carry 300 lbs plus.

Pulling my flatbed trailer lowers the mileage to about 13 mpg when loaded with wood. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Does it pop out of first gear when you lift the throttle?

Lost of times thats the thrust plate for the transmissions main shaft. Not too bad a fix if it has not gone too far. Gone to far it can wear the shifter forks and put a bit of metal in the bearings.

Fixed properly the tranny is decent and will hold up very well.

With a good alligment and a properly running engine 19-21 mpg is reasonable (stick and stock sized tires if you stay around 65-70 mph).

Kevin

I have had an 87 montero 2 door since 1999. I live on an island where there is only one short stretch of 45 mile per hr. speed and the rest of the time you drive slower than that, so the truck has seen 147,000 miles of city driving. It is still in good mechanical condition. The 2.6 liter engine, though not powerful, is very reliable. It has the original radiator in it which still cools very well. Have never had any overheating problems. Uses maybe a quart of 10w-30 per thousand miles. No visible smoke. Love the solid feel of the truck. The leaf springs in the back give it a stability lacking in newer models (my '91 4 door). I just drive it around the island - no off-roading. Am getting ready to have all the rust repaired and a paint job so I can give it to my daughter when she turns 16 in May. Any car that hit my 87 would simply bounce off. Mileage never has been good - maybe 12-14 mpg with the a/c on.

I've put about 45K miles on my 1987 Raider post-rebuild. I get 20-21 mpg on stock tires and auto transmission. Having the AC on or off doesn't seem to make much difference. My driving is a mixture of city/county and I drive it to work every day. I'm afraid that body rot is going to end up killing it though, well before the mechanicals give out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Terry

Just curious but what island are you talking about?

Mr. Lochabay lives in/on Saipan, finally shipped his parts! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

... run away!

I have a driveway full of these things ... make an offer ... they are fun trucks ... but come with headaches ... expensive headaches.

If your a mechanic ... let 'r rip. If your not ... Run.

The straight 4 is known for blowing heads, ... and I have no time for the "clutching" in these trucks, ... standard or auto, ... all of my trucks are into flywheels, trannys, and pressure plates.

I have an '87 with only 111,000 kms on it, ... which is somewhere around 65,000 miles, ... and it's a nightmare ... low mileage means exactly squat.

Be sure to fill the gas tank before you buy it, ... they rust out from the top, ... especially in areas that get snow, and use salt, ... the salt sits on top of the gas tank, and rusts out the sending unit, meaning the tank has to be recoated or replaced, and the sending unit replaced, ... which sucks.

When they run they rock, ... but most of the time I'm begging for solutions in this venue, ... and have seen more downtime than driving time on every single Raider / Monty I have owned, ... and mine are pretty sweet.

Anyways, ... walk away, ... or drag your butt up to Huntsville Ontario, ... you can have the 4 I've got for $18,000 CDN.